Side Quests & Bonus Events
We have some awesome side quests and bonus events that are typically cool options to include in your Gary Con schedule if you have free time. A lot of folks put some hard work in to make these things available to attendees—and we are glad to include them in our list of things to do and see!
2026 Exclusives
Screening: Draw Your Weapons
Presented by Titmouse!
Saturday @10:00pm-11:30pm(ish) in Swinghurst.
A screening of an episode of Titmouse Studio’s new series Draw Your Weapons—featuring artists, voice actors, and gamers playing D&D and drawing in the Titmouse gaming room in Los Angeles. Introduced by the creators Josh Knapp and Chris Prynoski.
Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye Pinball Machines
Presented by Stern Pinball!
There should be two of the D&D machines (one pro, one premium) and two other pinball games onsite starting Wednesday and remaining in the Main Lobby of the Grand throughout the duration of Gary Con XVIII.
The pinball machines will be on free play for all to enjoy! What’ll be your high score?
Opening Ceremony
Join us around 9:00am in the Main Lobby of the Grand Geneva Resort, where Luke Gygax will talk about what Gary Con means to him. We’re planning on having a Special Guest or two join us for the official opening of Gary Con XVIII, so don’t miss it!
After the opening ceremony, head down to the Forum Foyer for the first card pulling from the Deck of Gary Things around 9:45am, followed by official opening of the Exhibitor Hall around 10:00am!
Deck of Gary Things
Test your luck against Luke Gygax to win prizes or an ignoble end!! Happening in the Forum Lobby around 9:45am daily during the convention!
If you don’t have guts, you’ll never have glory—so why not risk it pulling from The Deck of Gary Things?! Maybe you’ll win a free badge, or maybe you’ll be compelled to volunteer some time to the convention. Anything could happen!
Hawaiian Shirt Picture
Gary Gygax, Father of Role Playing Games, co-creator of D&D and Founder of Gen Con was often seen sporting a Hawaiian Shirt. To honor his memory, many attendees wear Hawaiian shirts on Saturday and gather to be part of the annual Hawaiian Shirt picture.
Sport your Hawaiian shirt and join us at 2:00pm on Saturday in the Grand Geneva Lobby to be part of the annual picture!
Don’t have something tropical and fantastical? You can stop by the merch booth to grab the Dragon Hawaiian Shirt from last year or this year’s NEW Demogorgon Hawaiian Shirt (never thought we’d be saying that) or even both! After this year, neither shirt will be available for purchase again.
Legends of Wargaming
Are you curious about the history of wargaming and role-playing? Visit the Legends of Wargaming space to get in touch with the classics!
Visit tables filled with history in the form of facts and items to get a glimpse of how the heart of our favorite hobby was started. You can learn about games like AD&D (1e), Braunstein, Chainmail, Dawn Patrol, etc.—old school gaming and tournaments abound here!
In search of adventure? Join the Legends of Roleplaying as they play games like AD&D (1e) and Braunstein!
Trying your hand at strategy? Join the Legends of Wargaming as they take to the skies in Dawn Patrol or partake in the Chainmail Joust!